Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast heavy rainfall across several parts of the country tonight and urged citizens to adopt precautionary measures as intense weather conditions are expected to continue over the coming days.
In this regard, the heavy rain is likely in Islamabad and Rawalpindi during the night, while rainfall is also expected in Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala and Peshawar.
The department has advised residents to remain alert, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding and water accumulation.
The weather authority warned that persistent and heavy rainfall could trigger a rise in water levels in rivers, streams and seasonal nullahs, increasing the risk of urban flooding in low-lying areas.
In this sense, in the northern hilly regions, including Murree, Galiyat and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, authorities have expressed concerns over possible landslides due to continuous heavy rainfall.
The PMD has advised both the public and relevant government departments to take necessary precautionary measures and ensure emergency preparedness to minimize potential risks.
The department has already forecast widespread rainfall across Pakistan until July 13. Thunderstorms accompanied by rain are expected in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with heavy downpours anticipated in some areas.
So far, as per the upper Punjab, the Potohar region, Islamabad, Murree, Galiyat and the northern areas are expected to receive significant rainfall. Cities including Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal and Hafizabad are also likely to experience thunderstorms and rain.
Further rainfall is expected in Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab and Bhakkar, while heavy showers are likely in Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal and Pakpattan. Rain has also been forecast for Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan.
Most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to witness thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, including Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Kohat, Hangu, Swat, Upper and Lower Dir, Chitral, Shangla, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra and Abbottabad.
The PMD said intermittent rainfall is expected in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan from July 11 to 13. Rain is forecast for Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Rawalakot, Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli, Mirpur and Bhimber, while Gilgit, Skardu, Astore, Diamer, Ghizer, Ghanche, Shigar, Nagar and Hunza are also likely to receive thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert regarding the potential risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in vulnerable northern regions.
In Balochistan, northeastern districts including Zhob, Sherani, Musakhel, Barkhan, Sibi, Kohlu and Ziarat are also expected to receive rain with thunderstorms.
The PMD further stated that upper and central Sindh are likely to receive rainfall on July 12 and 13. Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Khairpur and Naushahro Feroze are among the districts where thunderstorms and rainfall are expected.
